‘Proud’ pensioner killed himself after cowboy builders demanded £300,000 despite him only hiring them to re-point his chimney

Retired computer analyst Colin Juffs left a heartbreaking note for his sister, saying 'I am sorry it ended this way'

By Brittany Vonow

25th January 2018,4:05 pm

Updated: 26th January 2018,5:27 pm

A PENSIONER took his own life after being targeted by cowboy builders who demanded almost £300,000 just to repoint his chimney, an inquest heard.

Retired computer analyst Colin Juffs “snapped” after being inundated with rising bills from the conmen builders, telling his sister in a final note: “I really could not see the job getting finished in my lifetime”.

In a typed and signed note left for her, he explained he had been conned by his builder after trying to get his chimney repointed, and the costs had rapidly risen to £297,000 to fix other issues in the house that the builders had raised.

He detailed the rising costs and the “clever” way he had been scammed – each job required another for the whole to be completed.

Senior Coroner Andrew Walker recorded a conclusion of suicide.

The Met Police are now investigating the fraud that led up to Mr Juff’s death.

Grieving Paula paid tribute to her brother, saying: “My brother was an intelligent and very proud man.

“He could not have faced his friends in the knowledge that he had been the victim of a scam.”

She said she and her brother had been extremely close, adding: “I want this to be publicised because this could happen to anyone. People can be conned no matter how sensible they seem.””